Rise in monkey bite cases
Chandigarh, December 25
The city has witnessed an increase in the incidence of monkey bite. As per the anti-rabies clinic at Sector 19, 124 such cases came between January and August.In 2008, 70 cases were reported at the clinic during the corresponding period. The in charge of the rabies vaccination unit, Dr
Purnima, said there was an increase in such cases and the numbers swelled during monsoon.

Frolic marks Xmas celebrations
Chandigarh, December 25
Fun and frolic marked the Christmas celebrations by Reliance Communications employees today at the Rajiv Gandhi Chandigarh Technology Park Office.Sporting in red with Santa Claus caps, the employees decorated the office with Xmas trees and balloons.Children light candles on the occasion of Christmas at a church in Sector 19, Chandigarh, on Friday.
Tribune photo: S Chandan

4-day convention of minorities begins
Chandigarh, December 25
A four-day 26th national convention of the All-India Backward and Minority Communities Employees Federation
(BAMCEF), Delhi, started at “Sant Raidas Nagar Campus”, a specially created arena, at Sector-34 exhibition grounds here today.

Haryanvi folk dance contest kicks off
Panchkula, December 25
“The folklore, classical music or dance artistes are omniscient persons endowed with a special passion for arts and should always be respected irrespective of their living social status, caste and creed,” observed Dr KK
Khandelwal, Financial Commissioner and Principal Secretary to Haryana government.

City-Yamunanagar rail link survey begins
Chandigarh, December 25
The much-awaited preliminary survey work for the proposed Chandigarh-Yamunanagar rail link has begun. The rail link would facilitate industrial growth and augment transportation facilities with the steel city of Jagadhri.

Looking Ahead: 2010 Health
Swine flu, the real health threat
Chandigarh, December 25
Economic recession and swine flu dominated 2009. A random search of these words on Google throws up 1.4 crore references for economic recession and 3.84 crore for swine flu.Swine flu gripped the city also and facemasks, which otherwise are a rare site in the serene and pollution-free city, became a reality. Though recession had negligible impact in the city, the challenge to deal with swine flu is likely to be there in 2010 too.

Blood donation camp marks ‘Balidan Divas’
Chandigarh, December 25
The balidan divas of Swami Shraddhanand was observed by organising a blood donation camp at Arya Samaj Mandir, Sector 16-D, by the Arya Pradeshik Pratinidhi Upsabha, Chandigarh, Panchkula and
Mohali.Students, principals, teachers and other members of the staff of various DAV institutions of the region participated in the camp. More than 100 volunteers donated blood.Volunteers donate blood at Arya Samaj Mandir, Sector 16-D, Chandigarh, on Friday. A Tribune photograph

Get antecedents of servants verified or face action
Chandigarh, December 25
To put a check on residents, landlords, tenants and commercial establishments, UT District Magistrate Brijendra Singh has directed them to furnish information about ordinary servants, helpers and maid servants employed by them so that anti-social elements under the guise of domestic servants, helpers and maid servants may not pose a threat to their employers and other citizens.

Dance & song mania begins
Chandigarh, December 25
The weeklong “New Year extravaganza” from December 25 to December 31 at Sector 17 Plaza with the title “Dance and song mania” was inaugurated today by Home Secretary Ram
Niwas.

Land
Fraud
Process to declare baba PO begins
Mohali, December 25
On the directions of the Dera Bassi court, the police has initiated the process to declare Baba Prithpal Singh, chairman of the Shiromani Sant Khalsa International Foundation, Gurdwara Gur Sagar Sahib, a proclaimed offender.

An overview of the plaza on Christmas at Sector 17, Chandigarh, on Friday. Tribune photo: S Chandan Report P8

City shivers at 5.2 °C
Chandigarh, December 25
With the eary morning fog having tightened its grip over the city, the minimum temperature today touched 5.2 degrees Celsius while the maximum was recorded at 22.6 degrees Celsius.

4 more down with swine flu
Chandigarh, December 25
There is no slowing down the spread of swine flu in the city. With four more persons, including a Class IV student of St Stephen’s, testing positive for it today, the total number of confirmed swine flu cases in the city has gone up to 303.

Relief to showroom owners
Chandigarh, December 25
Giving relief to the existing SCO/SCF owners, the Chandigarh administration has allowed them to have a depression up to 1.21 metres on the ground floor to accommodate mezzanine floor as per the norms subject to structural stability and provision of minimum permissible height in conformity with the building rules.

AGA Amritsar tame Black Elephant
Patiala, December 25
AGA Amritsar defeated hosts Black Elephant Cricket Club by seven runs in the opening match of the first CSF Cup League Tournament at military ground No. 1 here today.AGA Amritsar, SC Rohtak, SDC Delhi and hosts Black Elephant Cricket Club are taking part in the tournament being organised at Black Elephant Ground, Patiala.

Retd subedar killed in accident
Lalru, December 25
An ex-serviceman and a Congress leader was killed after hit by an unknown vehicle near Jola Khurd village here yesterday.

Marriage Palace Row
DC assures of amicable solution
Patiala, December 25
In order to take an overview of the entire situation, Deputy Commissioner Deepinder Singh and tehsildar Subhash Bhardwaj visited the much debated sight of the construction of the marriage palace next to Government Senior Secondary School, Tripuri, here today. He surveyed the entire area and talked to the local residents about the vandalisation of the foundation stone.

Blood donation camp
Patiala, December 25
A blood donation camp was organised today at MM Modi College, which was inaugurated by Dr Satish Kumar Bhardwaj, principal of the college. He spoke about the significance of blood donation in saving lives. A team of doctors made arrangements for collection of blood.

Veterans resent govt filing appeals in favourable cases
Chandigarh, December 25
The Army’s continuation of filing appeals against High Court orders granting relief to disabled ex-servicemen in apparent violation of the settled legal position has caused resentment among the service community.

Speedy justice HC target
Chandigarh, December 25
The Punjab and Haryana High Court is all set to tilt the scales of justice in favour of expeditious disposal of cases in 2010.

Afghan national held for fraud
Chandigarh, December 25
Walid, an Afghan national, was arrested by the crime branch of the police for applying new passport on fake name.

Silver jewellery stolen
Chandigarh, December 25
Rajesh Gera, a resident of Sector 18-C, has reported that someone has stolen silver jewellery, silver mementos and silver coins from his residence on December 24 at around 9 pm. A case has been registered at the Sector 19 police station.

Computer stolen from govt school
Zirakpur, December 25
A computer set provided by the state government for students was reportedly stolen from Government School, Gazipur.

Couple dupes computer renting firms
Mohali, December 25
After floating bogus recruitment firms, thugs have now evolved a new technique to squander investors’ money. On the pretext of running a computer training institute in Phase XI here, a couple has duped firms renting out computers.

Kidnapped girl recovered
Mohali, December 25
A 16-year-old girl, who was kidnapped by two youths from Jagatpura colony yesterday, has been recovered. Two boys, Manpreet and Satwinder, had yesterday forcibly taken the girl on their motorcycle (PB 65 J 7269).

One held for murder
Panchkula, December 25
The police has claimed to have solve a blind murder case which occurred on the night of December 16, near Canter Union, in Industrial Area, here today. Body of the deceased, identified as Lakshman, a resident of Abhaypur, was found with his face disfigured by hammering a heavy stone.

Junior golf camp from Jan 2
Chandigarh, December 25
A one-month EGTF junior golf coaching programme will be held on the greens of the Chandigarh Golf Club from January 2 to 31 for members and non-members in the 7-15 age-group.